News Release

Friday, November 23, 2007

Undercover Officer Struck By Suspects Car

Los Angeles: An undercover officer was struck and severely injured when he was struck by the car driven by a fleeing suspect.

On November 20, 2007, at about 8:30 a.m., Hollenbeck Area Narcotics Enforcement Detail detectives were conducting an undercover surveillance in the area of 4th Street and Dacotah Street in Boyle Heights. The suspect, later identified as Joe Ortiz, 23, accompanied by a woman, was observed conducting a narcotics transaction. Three officers were directed to stop Ortiz' car as he left after the sale of narcotics.

As the officers moved in to arrest Ortiz, he pulled into a driveway in the 100 block of Dacotah Street. The officers exited their car and identified themselves as police. Ortiz immediately backed his car out of the driveway at a high rate of speed nearly striking one of the officers. Ortiz drove southbound on Dacotah Street. One of the assisting officers who was standing in the street, holding his badge out to identify himself as police was swerved toward by Ortiz. At this time an officer involved shooting occurred. The officer was then struck by Ortiz's car and severely injured. Ortiz continued to flee eastbound on 4th Street.

The officers' fellow surveillance team rendered aide to the fallen officer who was treated by Los Angeles Fire Department personnel. He was taken to Los Angeles County USC Medical Center where he was listed in serious but stable condition.

The officers' name is being withheld due to the nature of their undercover assignment.

Robbery-Homicide Division responded and investigated the attempted murder of a police officer and Force Investigation Division personnel are investigating the Officer Involved Shooting.